Sprint Bus works are an ‘unmitigated disaster’
Council leader demands compensation for suffering firms
FURIOUS council bosses have demanded compensation be paid to Walsall businesses hit by the “unmitigated disaster” of the new Sprint Bus roadworks.
Authority leader Mike Bird said businesses had either folded or suffered huge revenue losses as a result of work being carried out in the town centre and along Birmingham Road.
He claimed there had been poor communication with residents and drivers, while some of the works were causing a danger on roads.
At a Scrutiny Overview Committee meeting, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) officers said Phase One of the project will be completed by early June with many sections finished before then.
They also admitted there had been “issues” with their contractors which they were working on and assured members lessons would be learned.
Sprint will run along the A34 from Birmingham through Great Barr and onto Walsall and include routes to Solihull and the airport.
The tram-like vehicles are promised to be more reliable, frequent and a greener mode of transport, helping to ease congestion.
Works are being carried out at
locations such as The Bridge, Bridge Street, Ablewell Street, Town Hill and along the A34 Birmingham Road. Projects include creating enforceable bus lanes and changes to traffic flow.
But Walsall Labour group leader Cllr Aftab Nawaz said he, along with others, had received a deluge of complaints about the works, mostly from businesses. He put forward a motion calling on TfWM to look at ways
those affected could be compensated without using Walsall taxpayer funds.
He said: “I’ve had residents and businesses complain to me.
“The impact has been huge on them. The traffic situation has become so difficult that at virtually every busy time, it comes to a standstill. It’s unacceptable you didn’t get your act together and see these problems happening. We saw it and were
telling you it would be difficult but no-one was listening. You’ve given us a deadline, saying it will all be completed in June.
“We expect that to be true because the people have had enough and want to see this go away.
“This isn’t going to enhance people’s view of public transport. They are going to see it as an inconvenience.”